Five Uplifting Sustainability News Stories This Earth Day

Earth Day is a time to come together in celebration of our planet and to remind ourselves that progress is possible. Amid the many environmental challenges we face, there are also incredible stories of innovation, resilience, and meaningful change happening all around the world.

To mark this Earth Day, we’re sharing five positive sustainability news stories that show what’s going right. From clean energy milestones to public transportation wins, these stories offer a healthy dose of hope and inspiration for anyone working toward a greener future.

1. California Shows Clean Energy Can Power the Grid and Cut Fossil Fuels by 40%

A recent study led by Stanford University’s Dr. Mark Jacobson and published in the journal Renewable Energy found that California met 100% of its electricity demand with renewables for up to 10 hours daily over 98 days in 2024. Compared to the same period in 2023, fossil fuel use fell by an estimated 40%, driven by increases in solar and wind power and a 105% jump in battery output. Even with more electric vehicles and appliances, statewide energy demand dropped by 1%, thanks to more homes and businesses adopting solar-plus-storage systems.
​
2. The Ocean Cleanup Intercepts 120 Truckloads of Trash Before Reaching the Gulf of Honduras

The Ocean Cleanup, an organization that develops and scales technologies to rid the oceans of plastics, reported that on February 17th, 2025 their Interceptor 006 installed at the Las Vacas River in Guatemala removed 120 truckloads of trash before it could reach the Gulf of Honduras. Rain came into the city the evening before, bringing with it a massive trash flood. Two excavators and seven trucks helped clean the site before the trash could make its way to the ocean.

In 2024, efforts by The Ocean Cleanup amounted to the removal of 11.5 million kilos of trash from oceans and rivers, surpassing the amount of trash removed in all previous years of their work combined.

3. Vertical Farming is Revitalizing Empty Commercial Real Estate

With more office spaces sitting vacant due to remote and hybrid work trends, a new use is taking root: vertical farming. In Virginia, the Plenty Richmond Farm is set to produce over 4 million pounds of strawberries each year using vertical towers, AI-driven plant monitoring, and climate-controlled systems. Meanwhile, in Canada, part of Calgary Tower has been transformed into a 65,000-square-foot indoor farm growing crops like kale, cucumbers, and strawberries.

Vertical farming offers key advantages for the environment. Crops can be grown year-round, fresh food is produced closer to where people live, and the method uses significantly less water (up to 90% less than traditional agriculture). Because crops are grown in controlled environments, the need for pesticides is greatly reduced. These innovative farms not only cut food miles and water use, but also breathe new life into underused real estate, proving that even the heart of the city can grow something green.

4. France Passes Bill to Ban PFAS in Consumer Products by 2026

France has become the second EU country behind Denmark to take independent action against Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), passing a bill to ban the manufacture, import, and sale of the toxic “forever chemicals” in cosmetics, clothing, footwear, and ski wax starting in 2026. The bill also introduces PFAS monitoring in drinking water and imposes a new €100 fee per 100 g of PFAS released into the environment. While the bill is not comprehensive, kitchenware was excluded due to industry pushback, it is a positive step forward.

PFAS are known to persist in the environment for decades, accumulate in living organisms, and have been linked to a range of health risks including cancer and hormone disruption. France’s move signals growing momentum in Europe to phase out these hazardous substances before broader EU regulations take effect. Final procedural steps need to take place before President Macron can sign the bill into law.

5. Good News for Global Public Transportation

Alaina Wood, Sustainability Scientist and Climate Activist who reports under the Instagram handle @itsthegarbagequeen, shared some good news on global public transportation efforts in a recent video:

• Morocco ordered 200 new electric trains to modernize and expand their high-speed and intercity rail network.
• Canada is set to invest billions in public transit improvements.
• By 2030, Thailand is on track to get their first high speed rail line that will run through Laos and China.

​

As we celebrate these wins and look toward a more sustainable future, it's clear that progress is possible when innovation and action come together. If you're feeling inspired this Earth Day, consider donating to My Green Lab. Your donation helps fund our programs that make science more sustainable, reduce environmental impact, and ensure the research powering our future is as green as possible.